The International English Language Testing System has been recognised as a qualification in British immigration rules on the test's 20th anniversary. Highly-skilled professionals from non-European Union countries, such as doctors and scientists, are required to show proven English proficiency when they apply to emigrate to Britain. The British Government has recently agreed that people who score 6.5 or above in the IELTS can be considered as meeting the requirement. Martin Davidson, chief executive officer of the British Council, a co-organiser of the test, said he welcomed the news.